Chris Paul-less Clippers still present challenge for Pacers

5:20 PM,
Jan. 17, 2014

Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul encourages teammates from the bench with his right arm in a sling during a Jan. 6 game vs. Orlando in Los Angeles. Paul has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC joint separation and will be out up to six weeks after suffering an injury in a game against Dallas on Jan. 3.

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The Los Angeles Clippers will be without their All-Star point guard when they visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Don't be fooled. Tonight still begins one of the most difficult stretches of the season for the high-flying Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers (31-7) play their next seven games against Western Conference teams - sandwiching home games against the Clippers and the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 30 around a five-game road trip. Indiana has the NBA's best record as the season nears the halfway point, but a winning record or better during this stretch would be another sign of just how good this team is.